Man who let two dogs starve fined less than penalty for not having permit

A MAN who allowed two dogs to starve was yesterday fined €50 — €10 less than he would have been had he been prosecuted for not having licences for the animals.

Patrick Doogue of Dereen Heights, Carlow, pleaded guilty at Carlow District Court to the charges and gave an undertaking that he would not keep animals again.

Speaking after the case, SPCA dog warden Brendan Hughes, said he was dismayed at the fine.

“This man has been fined €10 less than he would have been had we pursued this case on the grounds of the dogs not being licensed.

“It is not acceptable to treat any animal badly, let alone starve them nearly to death,” he said.

“Unfortunately it was too late for these two poor dogs but in highlighting this case we hope to send a message that cruelty to animals is not acceptable.”

The ISPCA said it had found the dogs, a black Labrador cross and a tan Terrier cross, lying on a plastic bag shivering with the cold.

Both dogs were very thin and in need of urgent veterinary attention.

On inspection of the dogs it was decided by the vet that for humane reasons they would have to be put down.